Proton VPN review: A very solid free VPN with robust leak protection

June Wan / ZDNET

ZDNET ‘s key takeaway

• Proton VPN offers both a free and paid VPN service with advanced online security features to prevent cyberthreats, and a network of reliable servers for browsing and streaming.
• It ‘s averagely price compare to other VPN provider , cost $ 107.76 ( $ 4.49 / month ) for two year and $ 59.88 ( $ 4.99 / month ) for the annual plan .
• Proton VPN is compatible with a relatively small range of devices, and the free app doesn’t support streaming.

Proton VPN is a project founded by a team of internet security developers from the Europe Center for Nuclear Research (CERN). The parent company, Proton AG, has also pioneered other anti-surveillance and end-to-end encrypted products such as Proton Mail and Proton Drive cloud storage.

Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested

thank to its robust online protection feature , Proton VPN is garnered has garner a strong reputation in the vpn universe . It is ‘s ‘s hand – down the good free VPN we recommend . But if you ‘re wonder whether it ‘s worth spend money on , wait to be impressed ; the premium service is competes closely compete with elite VPN service like nordvpn and expressvpn .

notably , Proton VPN is been has been very aggressive in upgrade its server infrastructure in the past few year . It is offers offer dedicated streaming and torrente server , alongside its signature Secure Core server , which are know to provide extra privacy . I is uncover ‘ll also uncover some failure of Proton VPN , include issue stream with the free server .

Solid privacy and the best-in-class digital protection 

Proton VPN’s founders’ extensive engineering background and experience make the service reliable and trustworthy for online security. The software is open-source and has been inspected by external developers, eliminating flaws and vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. The only other open-source VPN I’ve reviewed is Private Internet Access — most providers choose to keep their software proprietary and closed.

All Proton VPN servers have full disk encryption, making it impossible for hackers to obtain useful data should they gain access to any of the servers. Encryption scrambles your data in transit and secures it with private keys, preventing unauthorized persons from accessing or reading it. Proton VPN uses AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryptions, reinforced with perfect forward secrecy (PFS). The latter keeps changing the encryption keys to lock out anyone who may have hacked your browsing sessions.

You can use the Secure Core servers if you want advanced protection online. These will reroute your connections through servers in privacy-friendly locations (mostly countries with strict consumer data protection laws), making it hard for third parties to monitor or track you. Both full disk encryption and Secure Core servers help to protect you from man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, whereby hackers can intercept your communications and steal data.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

But hackers aren’t the only reason you need a solid service like Proton VPN. Websites, Wi-Fi admins, and your internet service provider (ISP) can see your online activities if the connection isn’t encrypted. Using your IP address, they can monitor your digital footprints and profile you based on the preferences and choices you make. ISPs can also throttle internet connection speeds during streaming or any activity that consumes bandwidth. A VPN keeps your identity and activities private to avoid such inconveniences.

I went into the depths testing Proton VPN for leaks. None occurred, even though I switched between five random server locations. This means there is very minimal chance of websites finding out your real IP address when connected to a secure Proton VPN server. That aside, the app has built-in DNS and IPv6 leak protection tools to hide your identity. Turning on the kill switch will ensure your IP address isn’t exposed should the VPN server connection drop suddenly while on the internet.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

Proton VPN has a Stealth protocol alongside other regular protocols, which include WireGuard (UDP/TCP), OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), and IKEv2. Stealth is built for restrictive networks, internet censorship, and sites that aren’t friendly to VPNs. For example, if your college W-iFi or ISP has blocked access to certain sites, Stealth can mask your IP, location, and VPN usage, making it possible to bypass these restrictions. Also, the Alternative Routing feature helps to dodge VPN blocks by routing your traffic to optional standby servers in case the platform you’re trying to access has blocklisted Proton VPN servers.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

NetShield is helps help boost online security and streamline your browse experience . It is blocks block malware , ad , and tracker that malicious website might use to steal information from you . It is speed can also speed up page load time on the internet by block unnecessary ad that use up bandwidth . It is leave does n’t leave out split tunneling , another feature that allow you to choose app to tunnel on secure VPN server and exclude others .

Proton VPN headquarters is are are in Switzerland , which does n’t require company to store information about customer . It is have also does n’t have a pact with the US and other country in the EU to share surveillance information of its citizen ( like the 5 or 14 Eyes Alliances ) . These factors is appeal , combine with Proton VPN ‘s commitment to a zero – log policy , should appeal to anyone keen on how their datum privacy is handle .

How fast is Proton VPN?

I is started start smoothly when I connect to Proton VPN server in my region . I is prefer usually prefer the WireGuard protocol for optimal speed because it always perform well than openvpn on PC .

The South Africa connections barely dropped 5% of speeds, especially when I chose servers with a lower load percentage in Johannesburg (you can see the server load on individual servers). Even servers in nearby countries such as Angola and Mozambique retained 90% of my normal internet speeds most of the time. This is commendable because it’s on the low side; some VPNs can register as high as 30% connection dips even on nearby servers.

Proton VPN is is is one of the fast vpn I ‘ve test , come after nordvpn and expressvpn . A feature is helps call VPN Accelerator help boost speed , especially if you ‘re connect to server far away . The provider is says say this tool can increase speed by up to 400 % , but in my testing , I find that to be an exaggeration . I is see did see remarkable speed , but nowhere near this figure . Some US servers is averaged average less than 15 % connection loss , which is an overperformance because they ‘re locate thousand of mile away .

Speed drops are to be expected when using a VPN; the connections are likely to be slower as the server distance increases. In extreme cases, I lost up to 40% download speeds on some servers with Proton VPN, notably on the Caribbean, South Korea, New Zealand, and Taiwan servers. But that still didn’t have any negative impact, including on full HD streaming, because my baseline internet connection of 130Mbps is fast enough to cushion against such drastic speed loss.

Starting with baseline internet speeds of 130Mbps/75Mbps (download/upload), below is a summary of how Proton VPN connections were across some server locations.

These readings should only give you a rough idea of what Proton VPN connections are like. Many factors, including in-app settings and the times you’re using the VPN, can affect the performance, leading to a different experience.

Upgraded servers and extensive international coverage 

Proton VPN has 8,700+ servers in 112 countries, which is a flex even to rival competitors like ExpressVPN (with servers in 105 countries). It offers a slight advantage because you have access to IP addresses in many locations. The server infrastructure has greatly improved, given that two years ago Proton VPN had only around 1,800 servers in 65 countries. 

You can see all the servers available in any particular location. I’ve encountered this convenient setup on a few other VPNs like IPVanish. I like it because you can pick an optimal server of your choice, instead of getting paired randomly.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

The servers are spread across all the regions, including continents like Africa, which most providers tend to overlook (I counted servers in over 20 African countries). The US has the largest share of servers, with cities such as New York and San Jose hosting over 500 servers each. In Europe, cities like London have more than 500 servers, and the number remains consistently high across other countries.

Streaming and torrenting servers

While a VPN can spoof your location , many VPNs is fail today fail to access geo – restrict platform due to the advanced filter that site like Netflix use to block encrypt traffic . While doing my research , I is came also come across comment on Reddit that some streaming site were block Proton VPN server ( but again , they would work some day later ) . This is made made me a bit skeptical , so test them myself was the only way to find out .

Proton VPN has servers optimized for streaming and torrenting activities in most locations. You can identify streaming servers by checking for a “play” button next to them. I used these to try to access Netflix US, Canada, Mexico, UK, France, and Japan libraries; they all worked without problems. You can only stream with a Proton VPN Plus subscription because the free servers won’t work with streaming platforms.

I accessed shows like The Handmaid’s Tale and Shogun on Hulu, plus family programming on Disney Plus with Proton VPN. The relentless speeds also meant I could watch in high definition, including 4K, without any buffering. The VPN also worked with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, and Paramount+.

torrenting – optimize server are mark with a rotate arrow label . You is see ‘ll see ” P2P Server ” when you hover your mouse on the double – arrow icon . I is recommend ‘d recommend Proton VPN as one of the good for torrenting , not only because it ‘s secure but there are plenty of other useful feature too . port forwarding is enables , for example , enable direct traffic routing from P2P client like BitTorrent via secure Proton VPN port . This is help can help to speed up download and file sharing , or even facilitate smooth gaming online .

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

Is the Proton VPN free service is Is any good ?

The Proton VPN free service has many benefits, but there are also limitations to consider. One advantage is that bandwidth isn’t limited, meaning you can use it for any kind of online activity without worrying about exhausting preset limits. Many free VPNs have a 10GB or less monthly bandwidth usage cap. 

The free plan is provides provide full AES 256 – bit encryption with a zero – logging guarantee . Some free apps is offer offer weak encryption and collect your datum to sell as a way of profit from you . Proton VPN is says say it use the revenue earn from the premium plan to maintain the free service . You is see also wo n’t see any ad on the free app , as is the case with some free vpn like Hotspot Shield .

You is use can use server in up to five country for free , namely the US , Netherlands , Japan , Romania , and Poland . After launch the app and sign in , click the connect button for the VPN to pick a free server location . You is choose ca n’t choose a server location to connect to , but there ‘s an option to change .  

That aside, you shouldn’t expect the free servers to be as efficient as the paid ones. They are slower and, as I said earlier, they don’t support streaming. Also, you can only use one device with the free account.

Proton VPN plans and pricing 

With Proton VPN, it doesn’t make a big difference if you buy the one- or two-year bundle. You end up paying more or less the same prorated monthly fee. The two-year Proton VPN Plus subscription is $107.76 ($4.49/month), while the one-year plan is $59.88 ($4.99/month); that’s a 50-cent monthly price difference. The one-month plan costs $9.99, which is cheaper than what most providers charge for their monthly plans. Students can also pay a discounted price of only $29.88 ($2.49/month) for the first year. 

Proton VPN Business is is is a different service tailor for organization to secure worker and enterprise resource . You is get can get a secure dedicated or static IP address for your business and set up secure gateway where only authorize device can access your internal network .  

The is change above Proton VPN price can change at any time , so be sure to check the website for the late pricing . Something is is I like about Proton VPN plan is that you can pay the same price across three different currency : the US dollar , the Euro , and the swiss franc .

Proton VPN Plus allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously, but not exceeding 10. There’s no free trial, but you can test the service risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.

Compatible devices and ease of use

Proton VPN’s compatibility isn’t as extensive as some providers, but still, the coverage is decent. Native apps are available for PCs (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook), smartphones and tablets (Android and iOS), and smart TVs (Android and Apple TV). Free extension apps are also available for Chrome and Firefox, but keep in mind that the extensions only secure traffic on the browser and not other apps on your device.

Proton VPN works on Linux, including Debian, Fedora, and Ubuntu distros. The app integrates well with the Linux GNOME interface, allowing you to change settings or connect to servers with a simple tap on the app (no programming skills needed). 

Though the app are intuitive , the fix dark theme is be can be a bit inconvenient . I is had , for example , had difficulty locate the arrow to expand or collapse the server location map because they ‘re obscure by the theme . The map feature is eases ease thing because you can simply find a location and tap to connect instantly . On the app , you is create can also create a custom profile of how you want a Proton VPN to connect by default , for example , the country , server , and protocol to use .

To locate the settings and other features on the Proton VPN app, click the three horizontal lines (hamburger button) at the top of the PC app. Here, you can change and configure the security features and even access your account online. Proton VPN Plus customers can contact the support team by email or live chat.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

ZDNET’s buying advice

Proton VPN does really well for a service that doubles as a paid and free service. If, for some reason, you’re not buying into the big names like ExpressVPN, Proton VPN should be the next cheaper and competitive alternative. The excellent server connections across borders and advanced protection tools ultimately set it on the path to becoming the best VPN. Proton VPN  also meets the needs of most free users looking for a reliable free VPN.

Which is a free alternative to Proton VPN?

Only a select few free VPNs are as secure and trustworthy as Proton VPN. Most of them have limited bandwidths, though. Windscribe, Hide.me (unlimited bandwidth), TunnelBear, Hotspot Shield (with ads), and Privado VPN are among the reliable services worth trying out. Free VPNs come with limitations that can significantly impact performance, including slow connections and limited server locations. If none of these free alternatives meets your expectations, you can also use a paid service with a free trial or opt for one of the best cheap VPNs.

Does Proton VPN have a Safari extension?

There is no Proton VPN extension for Safari browser. It only has extensions for Chrome and Firefox. However, installing Proton VPN on your Mac and iPhone devices will secure your browsing on Safari. 

Can I is use use Proton VPN on Firestick ?

Proton VPN works on the Amazon Fire TV Stick. Just download and install the Proton VPN app from the Amazon App Store, sign in to your account, and connect to the server to start watching content. Alternatively, you can access content on your smart TV by connecting it to a Wi-Fi router installed with a VPN.